Laughlin named quarterfinalist for Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum Music Educator Award

The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum recently announced their quarterfinalists for the fifth annual Music Educator Award, and one of Georgia Southwestern State University’s own made the list.

Associate Professor of Music and Jazz Band Director Mark Laughlin, DMA, has been named a quarterfinalist for the award for the third time. Read more >>

GSW Officer Nathaniel Milledge named Officer of the Year at gala

On Saturday, June 17 at the first annual Paint the Town Blue gala, Sergeant Nathaniel Milledge was named Officer of the Year for the Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) Department of Public Safety. The event was held in GSW’s Storm Dome. Read more >>

GSW receives CASE Educational Fundraising Award

Georgia Southwestern State University was recognized earlier this month by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) with a 2017 Educational Fundraising Award, which recognizes U.S. institutions for overall performance and improvement in educational fundraising programs. GSW was one of 89 colleges and universities selected from among 554 eligible institutions by CASE. Read more >>

This May, Drs. Tzvetelin Iordanov, Kailash Ghimire and Philip Szmedra taught the University 4000 Contemporary International Cultures class in Nepal. The faculty members, along with Dr. Ian Brown, led students on a trip that included: visiting Apex College where the students had the opportunity to meet and interact with Nepali college students; volunteering and building a staircase/walkway at a Nepalese village school; whitewater rafting; attending a traditional wedding; and visiting many historical sites in Nepal.

Continuing its commitment to advance education, the AT&T Foundation presented GSW with a check on their campus to support the University’s Gateways to Completion project. The grant funds will help faculty and staff at GSW reduce failure rates in "gateway" courses which have high rates of failure. Read more >>

OneUSG Connect is now live! To login, visit http://OneUSGConnect.usg.edu. Click the “OneUSG Connect” button on the right and select your institution logo. You can login using your local network credentials (e.g. GSW email). Short, one to three-minute training videos are available for managers and employees explaining how to do different activities in the system. Find these videos at http://OneUSGConnect.usg.edu. Videos and job aids are also available on the HR website.

If you have questions about OneUSG Connect or need help getting information from ADP, please contact Gena Wilson or the USG Shared Services Center toll free at 877-251-2644 or by email at sscsupport@ssc.usg.edu.

Alumni & Friends Travel Tours

Are you planning your next vacation? Alumni Affairs can help! They have partnered with Collette to offer some amazing upcoming tours to see the Northern Lights in Finland; discover New England’s charm; visit Tuscany and the Italian Riviera; and take a springtime tulip river cruise through Dutch and Belgian Waterways. Visit https://gsw.edu/resources/alumni/travel-tours for more information.

Pam Leverett became a member of the Southwestern family in October 1985. She has been a great ambassador for GSW during her tenure here, especially since she’s a native of Americus and knows so many of our alumni and other stakeholders in the community. Sandra Fowler, director of Career Services, noted that Pam’s professionalism with the student workers and everyone else has represented the Division of Student Affairs well and that her willingness to walk the extra mile and lead events and guide student organizations will be hard to replace. Alma Keita, Director of Counseling Services, perceives Pam to be genuine, kind, and very reliable; she expresses to Pam "the seeds of kindness you plant today will bloom in the hearts of those that you touch, forever." Many students consider Pam a mentor, an advisor, a mother figure, and a friend. Alliyah Bandoo, a nursing major, shared that “in the past year Ms. Pam has become my manager, mentor, and sorority sister; she definitely serves as a great role model for young women at GSW.”

Pam has also been active in the community during her career at GSW, serving as a mentor to students within Sumter County schools through the Sumter County Mentor Partnership, as well as serving on various committees focused on community concerns and initiatives. Qaijuan Willis, program coordinator of Americus Main Street, expressed that “Pam is a woman of integrity and class which she so graciously demonstrates through her character, style, and whatever she puts her hands to do,” and that “her presence always made a difference in the Office of Student Affairs.”

Pam will retire from GSW on June 30, 2017, and we wish her happiness and good health in this transition. She also celebrated her birthday on June 19.

GSW faculty, staff and students complete triathlon

On April 29, four members of the GSW community participated in the Beach Blast Spring Triathlon in Mexico Beach, FL. Pictured are (l to r) Terrell Hoffman – senior History major, Anna Champion – director of Fitness and Wellness, Kelly McCoy – dean, Arts and Sciences, and Will McCoy – sophomore Biology major. Anna finished first in her age group and Will finished second in his age group.

July 1: Plains, Trains, & Fireworks on Main Street in Plains, GA. Event starts at 7:00 PM; fireworks to blow at 9:30 PM. Ride over on the Sam Shortline or drive over to the City of Plains for the second annual street dance and fireworks show! This is one event that you and your family won't want to miss!

July 4: Fireworks on the Flint – Celebrate America’s Day with fireworks over the Flint from 8-10 pm at Lake Blackshear. Enter at Georgia Veteran’s State Park. Parking is $5 and fireworks start at 9 pm. Call 229-273-2371 for additional information.

July 7: First Friday in downtown Americus from 5-8 pm with a Beach Party theme

July 7 & 20: STORM Day

August 4: Downtown Americus Welcome Back Event for faculty & staff (Sumter County educators – K-12 and college/university) - more details to come.

Southwestern Week will be held August 7-11, 2017. This year will be a bit different so be on the lookout for more information about the changes.

August 18: Welcome Back student event in Downtown Americus (more details to come)